Two incumbent Wisconsin Republican congressmen lose their races, helping Democrats regain control of Congress

Two incumbent Wisconsin Republican congressmen lost their seats in a blue wave on Tuesday that saw Democrats regain control of both chambers of Congress.

U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil conceded the race for Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District late on Tuesday night to ER nurse and political newcomer Mitchell Berman.

Steil is thought to be interested in U.S. Senator Ron Johnson's seat in 2028. This election loss certainly weakens his standing in that race.

“Congratulations to Mitchell Berman! Mitchell is no stranger to service, having spent a decade showing up for veterans as a VA nurse and now working as an ER nurse,” said Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Suzan DelBene. “Working class families like his own who have been left behind for years by failed leadership will now have someone in Washington D.C. fighting for them. Mitchell overcame an onslaught of outside spending from special interests – but he took them on and won. Now, Mitchell will take on anyone who gets in his way to bring prices down, make health care more affordable, stop insider corruption, and serve the people of Wisconsin’s First District.”

U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden also lost the race for Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District to Rebecca Cooke, who has attempted to oust Van Orden before.

“Wisconsin Democrats achieved what was long thought impossible—flipping two Republican House seats, bringing an even split in congressional representatives in our state,” said chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin Devin Remiker. “It’s been decades since a Wisconsin Democrat defeated an incumbent Republican Congressman, and both Mitchell Berman and Rebecca Cooke accomplished that tonight. We are thrilled to congratulate both of them for their victories.

“Tonight, by running a campaign to genuinely represent a purple district and champion working families, Rebecca Cooke helped turn the tide. And Mitchell Berman, a former VA nurse inspired to run for Congress after seeing his colleagues’ jobs cut by the Trump administration and his patients suffering, harnessed his anger into building a campaign that prioritized serving and uplifting working families.

“The Democratic Party of Wisconsin is thrilled to congratulate Mitchell Berman and Rebecca Cooke as well as the volunteers who donated their time and energy into their campaigns, and we celebrate their victories tonight.”

Media outlets projected the Democrats have won control of the House and Senate and they will look to be a check and balance on President Donald Trump.

This story will be updated.